Protective shower shield

ABSTRACT

A first shield is connected to a first coupler and a second shield is connected to a second coupler. The first shield and the second shield are each adapted to cover a human breast and shield a human breast from water exiting from a shower fixture.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention relates to protective shield devices, and more particularly to a protective breast shield.

2. Description of the Related Art

When women become pregnant, are menstruating or right before, one of the symptoms is breast soreness. This is usually associated with the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The rise in hormone levels cause increased blood flow and breast tissue changes, which may make women's breasts feel swollen, sore, tingly, and unusually sensitive to touch (especially around the nipples). Breast tenderness during pregnancy usually starts around 4 to 6 weeks and lasts through the first trimester.

Women have a difficult time using a shower when pregnant or menstruating due to the soreness of their breasts. When water pressure from a strong shower stream makes contact with a woman with sore breasts, it can be very painful.

SUMMARY

One embodiment includes a first shield is connected to a first coupler and a second coupler. A second shield is connected to a third coupler and a fourth coupler. The first shield and the second shield each are sized and adapted to cover a human breast and protect a human breast from water exiting from a shower fixture.

Another embodiment includes a first shield is connected to a first coupler and a second shield is connected to a second coupler. The first shield and the second shield are each adapted to cover a human breast and shield a human breast from water exiting from a shower fixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a breast shield;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side cutout view of an outer layer connected to an under-layer of a breast shield embodiment;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side cutout view of an outer layer connected to an under-layer of another breast shield embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side cutout view of an outer layer connected to a fillable under-layer of a breast shield embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a breast shield; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a hook fastener connected to a first shield and a loop fastener connected to a second shield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments discussed herein generally relate protective shields for breasts. Referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments will now be described. The exemplary embodiments are provided to illustrate the embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment including breast shield 100. Breast shield 100 includes first shield 115 that has first coupler 110 and second coupler 131 attached therewith, second shield 120 that has third coupler 111 and fourth coupler 130 attached therewith. In one embodiment first shield 115 and second shield 120 each are sized and adapted to cover a human breast and protect a human breast from water exiting from a shower fixture. In this embodiment, the water pressure exiting a shower fixture can be very painful to a woman's breast during pregnancy and menstruation. Breast shield 100 prevents the water pressure from inflicting pain by shielding the pressurized water from a woman's breast.

In one embodiment second coupler 131 is made of a hook material and fourth coupler 130 is made of a loop material. Third coupler 131 hooks to the loop material of fourth coupler 130 causing first shield 115 and second shield 120 to connect to one another. In one embodiment second shield 120 overlaps first shield 115 when connected to one another. In one embodiment first coupler 110 ties with third coupler 111 and both of these couplers are made of filamentous material, such as string, cut fabric, shoe lace material, etc.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side cut-out view of the material of which breast shield 100 is made of. In one embodiment breast shield 100 includes under-layer 220 attached on an inside layer of outer cover 210 of each of first shield 115 and second shield 120. Under-layer 220 is a waterproof lining. The waterproof material can be a vinyl material, a rubber material, a soft polymer, a neoprene material, etc. In one embodiment outer cover 210 is made of a porous material. In one embodiment outer cover 210 is made of a terry cloth material, a cotton material, a combined cotton and polyester material, etc. FIG. 2B illustrates another embodiment where first shield 115 and second shield 120 have an outer cover 210 made of terrycloth and under-layer 230 made of neoprene having a plurality of thru-holes.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where under-layer 310 is a waterproof bag formed to a shape to complementary fit with a human breast and is fillable with air, gel or liquid. In one embodiment under-layer 310 is made of vinyl material, a rubber material, latex, a soft polymer, etc. In this embodiment under-layer 310 can be made from a flexible, fluid-impermeable material.

In one embodiment, breast shield 100 is in the form of a “bib” style that covers a woman's breast area and hangs around a woman's neck. Outer cover 210 allows a user to feel the warmth of the water while under-layer 220 or 310 keeps the breast area dry. In another embodiment both outer cover 210 and under-layer 220 are only made of terry material and allow the breast area to be shielded from the force of water exiting a shower fixture but the breast area will become wet.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment including breast shield 400. Breast shield 400 includes first shield 410 that has first coupler 440 attached to an end and second shield 420 that has second coupler 450 attached to an end. First shield 410 and second shield 420 are each adapted to cover a human breast and shield a human breast from water exiting from a shower fixture. First shield 410 and second shield 420 each have under-layer 220, 230 or 310 (see FIGS. 2A-B and 3 and the above description) attached to an inside layer of outer cover 210 of each of first shield 410 and second shield 420.

In one embodiment first coupler 440 is made of a hook material and second coupler 450 is made of a loop material. In this embodiment first coupler 440 removably attaches to second coupler 450.

In one embodiment breast shield 400 has a shape of a “bandeau” style and wraps around the upper chest area and is connected in the middle of the front by first coupler 440 and second coupler 450. This embodiment provides breast support for those that may need it.

The above embodiments provide comfort to women during pregnancy, menstruation, directly after pregnancy for new nursing mothers, or any woman who has had any type of breast surgery. These are all times when the breast area and nipples may be very sensitive and warm water can provide temporary relief without the pressure to cause discomfort. The above embodiments allow a user to shower in comfort where the water can freely flow over their entire body. The above embodiments can be worn in a shower or around the house. The above embodiments are especially helpful to women who are in the early stages of nursing. The above embodiment can also be worn during sleep.

It should be noted that the above embodiments can vary in size to fit different sized women.

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments,” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a first shield coupled to a first coupler and a second coupler; and a second shield coupled to a third coupler and a fourth coupler; wherein the first shield and the second shield each are sized and adapted to cover a human breast and protect a human breast from water exiting from a shower fixture.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an under-layer attached on an inside layer of an outer cover of each of the first shield and the second shield.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the under-layer is a waterproof lining.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the waterproof lining is one of a vinyl material, a rubber material, a soft polymer, and a neoprene material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the under-layer and the outer cover are each made of a terry cloth material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first outer cover coupled to the first shield and a second outer cover coupled to the second shield, wherein the first outer cover and the second outer cover are made of a porous material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the porous material is one of a terry cloth material, a cotton material, and a combined cotton and polyester material.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second coupler is made of a hook material and the fourth coupler is made of a loop material, where the second coupler hooks to the fourth coupler.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first coupler to tie with the third coupler.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first coupled and the third coupler are each made of filamentous material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first shield and the second shield are made of terrycloth coupled to neoprene having a plurality of thru-holes.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the under-layer is a waterproof bag formed to a shape of a human breast and fillable with one of air, gel, and liquid.
 13. An apparatus comprising: a first shield coupled to a first coupler; and a second shield coupled to a second coupler; wherein the first shield and the second shield are each adapted to cover a human breast and shield a human breast from water exiting from a shower fixture.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: an under-layer coupled to an inside of each of the first shield and the second shield.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the under-layer is a waterproof lining.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the waterproof lining is one of a vinyl material, a rubber material, a soft polymer, and a neoprene material.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first shield and the second shield are made of a porous material.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the porous material is one of a terry cloth material, a cotton material, and a combined cotton and polyester material.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first coupler is made of a hook material and the second coupler is made of a loop material, where the first coupler removably attaches to the second coupler.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first shield and the second shield are made of terrycloth coupled to neoprene having a plurality of thru-holes.
 21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the under-layer is a waterproof bag formed to a shape of a human breast and fillable with one of air, gel, and liquid. 